Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Movie Review (2013) | Roger Ebert Tweet In a key scene of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," a new biopic about South African leader Nelson Mandela, a judge tells Mandela ( Idris Elba ) that he's being sentenced to life imprisonment so that he can't become a martyr. Mandela says he's willing to die for his cause, and the judge replies, "I will not give you that satisfaction." Advertisement The makers of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" did what that judge refused to, though for very different reasons: they let their admiration for Mandela's suffering define their drama. The film reduces Mandela's ideas to impassioned sloganeering, and the repercussions of his ideas to unmoving montage sequences. It emphasizes his 27-year imprisonment as the foundation of his credibility, making the dense layers of make-up that are used to make a typically captivating Idris Elba the proof of his character's struggle. The makers of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" have good intentions, but they don't effectively dramatize what they think makes their subject great.

Mandela's life in "Long Walk to Freedom" is defined by pained optimism. As a young lawyer, Mandela petitions for equality from a government that he soon discovers is only selectively fair. But that changes after a friend is beaten mercilessly just because he's drunk, feels queasy and lacks proper documentation. This incident is poorly dramatized, happening in a flash. But it's supposed to have a profound effect on Mandela. It leads him to agitate with like-minded individuals for the formation of an African National Congress (ANC). With these peers, he moves crowds to protest with his speeches. His oration is that much more powerful because of Elba's delivery; if I could vote to put Elba in office, I would stuff the ballot boxes. Advertisement Up until his trial and imprisonment, Mandela is treated as a hallowed figure. This is in spite of the filmmakers' half-hearted attempts to make him appear human. He is shown having an affair with a woman, but that subplot is only important in that it adds pathos to his story; it suggests that Mandela has skeletons in his closet that the movie isn't inclined to examine.

Still, Mandela is a romantic icon, and the makers of "Long Walk to Freedom" understandably treat him as such. His voice cuts through the garbled voices of white radio announcers, the ones who make major events like the Sharpeville Massacre sound distant and unreal. The ANC's protests are filmed with context-free awe. So when a political office is blown up, you can enjoy the spectacle while effectively ignoring Mandela when he says that he is "not a violent man" but will use violence as a means to an end. That disjointed characterization persists throughout the stretch of "Long Walk to Freedom" that covers Mandela's imprisonment. This is especially true of the film's depiction of Nelson's rocky relationship with wife Winnie (an equally impressive Naomie Harris ). She's repeatedly arrested under suspicion of being involved with the ANC, and her resulting frustration grows throughout her brief visits to the prison. The prison guard insists that Nelson and his wife should not talk about poltiics, and "Long Walk to Freedom"'s creators honor that request. Instead, they talk about how they feel about politics. So the raised tone of Winnie's voice is more important than the content of her words.

Nelson and Winnie are supposed to have a complicated relationship, but it's really only a muddled one. When the hero laments that he hasn't touched his wife in 21 years, his face is obscured by a chain-link fence. It's obvious what viewers are supposed to feel in this moment, but the scene itself just isn't very moving. Advertisement The one aspect of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" that almost saves the film is Elba and Harris's extraordinary charisma. She's good enough to bring complexity to the scene where Winnie, drink in hand, gazes admiringly at Nelson as he delivers a televised address. And he's just as impressive, especially when he has to make soundbite-friendly speeches about group unity, and the necessity of making compromises. These actors as good as their characters require them to be, but nothing else in "Long Walk to Freedom" is.

Popular Blog Posts 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Trailer Features New U2 Song | The Huffington Post 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Trailer Features New U2 Song 10/18/2013 09:24 am ET | Updated Oct 18, 2013 160 Matthew Jacobs Entertainment Reporter, The Huffington Post "They can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart." So says Nelson Mandela, as played with what looks like rich commitment by Best Actor contender Idris Elba in the new trailer for "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." The forthcoming biopic showcases the South African apartheid leader's early life and crusade for equal rights in the years leading up to his presidency. This new trailer for the film offers a harrowing look at Mandela's trajectory, as told by director Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl") via a screenplay by William Nicholson ("Les Misérables," "Gladiator"). It also includes an original song written for the film by none other than U2.

(The track, "Ordinary Love," is an instant Best Original Song contender, if only because it would give the Oscars an excuse to invite Bono to perform.) Based on Mandela's autobiography of the same name, "Long Walk to Freedom" opens in limited release on Nov. 29. Fall Movie Preview 2013 Nelson Mandela Movies: 5 Actors Who Played the Late South African Leader (PHOTOS) | Moviefone Nelson Mandela Movies: 5 Actors Who Played the Late South African Leader (PHOTOS) by Drew Taylor TWC For such a widely revered public figure, Nelson Mandela was oddly underrepresented when it came to major motion pictures. The South African leader, who passed away yesterday at age 95, was portrayed only a handful of times, mostly in marginal fare that barely registered critically or commercially. Part of this probably has to do with the unusual contours of his long life, 27 years of which were spent in prison -- daunting subject matter from the perspective of a filmmaker, who must place those decades in context.

The latest attempt to render Mandela's life and legacy on the big screen comes from director Justin Chadwick , in the form of " Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ," a biopic that we got to see earlier this year at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Star Idris Elba brings a lot of conviction to the challenging role, giving Mandela great depth and shying away from the easy inclination to represent him as a peerless role model. As "Mandela" makes very clear, the man was not perfect. But he strove for greatness and often achieved it. In terms of biographies of the icon, "Long Walk to Freedom" is easily the fullest attempt yet at capturing what made Mandela such a captivating leader, with attention given to the passions that fueled both his personal and professional lives. Morgan Freeman also delivers a truly memorable performance as Mandela in Clint Eastwood 's oddly underrated movie " Invictus ," which explores the unrest simmering in mid-'90s South Africa through the lens of rugby.

Other actors to play the anti-apartheid revolutionary include Danny Glover in 1987's "Mandela," Dennis Haysbert in " Goodbye Bafana " (2007), and Terrence Howard in this year's " Winnie Mandela ," about Mandela's controversial ex-wife. Click through the gallery below for photos from these films. Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Idris Elba, Naomie Harris Movie HD - YouTube Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Idris Elba, Naomie Harris Movie HD Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.

Published on Jul 22, 2013 Subscribe to TRAILERS: Subscribe to COMING SOON: Like us on FACEBOOK: Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Idris Elba, Naomie Harris Movie HD A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. The Movieclips Trailers channel is your destination for the hottest new trailers the second they drop. Whether it's the latest studio release, an indie horror flick, an evocative documentary, or that new RomCom you've been waiting for, the Movieclips team is here day and night to make sure all the best new movie trailers are here for you the moment they're released. In addition to being the #1 Movie Trailers Channel on YouTube, we deliver amazing and engaging original videos each week. Watch our exclusive Ultimate Trailers, Showdowns, Instant Trailer Reviews, Monthly MashUps, Movie News, and so much more to keep you in the know. Here at Movieclips, we love movies as much as you!

Category Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) - News 17 January 2017 8:34 AM, PST NEWS 19 December 2016 8:00 AM, PST | Indiewire | See recent Indiewire news » Actor Idris Elba has spent the past year lending his voice to three of the year’s most acclaimed animated films, including Disney’s “ Zootopia ,” Pixar’s “ Finding Dory ” and the live-action/CGI film “ The Jungle Book ” as Shere Khan, the fearsome, villainous tiger. But when he’s not performing voiceover work or starring in the latest “ Star Trek ” film, he’s leading the powerful ensemble drama “100 Streets,” about three interwoven stories in one square mile of modern day London. Read More: ‘100 Streets’ Trailer: Idris Elba Plays a Retired Rugby Player Who Spirals Out of Control Elba stars as Max, a former rugby player who struggles to find a life off the field while fighting to save his marriage to former actress Emily ( Gemma Arterton ).

Alongside Max and Emily, there’s the stories of Kingsley ( Franz Drameh ), a small time drug dealer desperately searching for a way off the street, » - Vikram Murthi 24 November 2016 7:00 AM, PST | Indiewire | See recent Indiewire news » So often, actors and actresses are lauded for undertaking jaw-dropping physical changes to play what frequently amounts to their most important roles. Time and again, performers who are willing to mold their bodies to a part – think Christian Bale in “ The Machinist ,” Charlize Theron in “ Monster ” or Matthew McConaughey in “ Dallas Buyers Club ,” just to name a very recent few – reap the biggest rewards. For “ Moonlight ” star Naomie Harris , her greatest challenge wasn’t of the physical variety, it was the emotional. In order to play Paula, the mother of the film’s central character Chiron, over three different time periods, the British actress didn’t need to make adjustments to her body, but to her own heart.

Harris has worked steadily in both film and television since she was a kid – as a youngster, she had recurring roles on British series like “Simon and the Witch” and “ Runaway Bay , » - Kate Erbland 28 October 2016 1:30 AM, PDT | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news » The British Independent Film Awards has revealed that Naomie Harris will receive this year’s Variety Award at the ceremony on Dec. 4. The award recognizes a director, actor, writer or producer who has made a global impact and helped to focus the international spotlight on the U.K. Previous recipients of the award include Benedict Cumberbatch , Jude Law , Kenneth Branagh , Keira Knightley , Liam Neeson , Michael Caine , Daniel Craig , Helen Mirren and, last year, Kate Winslet . Harris said: “I am touched and honored to be included alongside such an inspiring and talented group of filmmakers.

Working in film has given me the chance to tell stories from around the world — and I’m incredibly proud to represent British filmmaking when doing so.” Harris is best known to global audiences as Eve Moneypenny in “ Spectre ” and “ Skyfall ,” and Tia Dalma in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. This year, she has appeared in the awards contender “ Moonlight , » - Leo Barraclough 24 October 2016 1:44 PM, PDT | ScreenDaily | See recent ScreenDaily news » CEO Brian O’Shea announced the new signing on Monday ahead of next week’s Afm in Santa Monica . Justin Chadwick will direct The Lady And The Panda, a UK-China co-production that Laura Bickford and Europe China Picture Group CEO Michelle Qi are producing. The story centres on 1930s New York socialite Ruth Harkness , who ventured into the Chinese interior after the death of her explorer husband and rescued an orphan panda. Production is scheduled to begin in November all over the Sichuan region in the foothills of the Himalayas in China.

Chadwick, Bickford and Holly Gent Palmo wrote the screenplay based on Harkness’ detailed correspondence. Joe Simpson of Miscellaneous Entertainment, Andrew Mann and Fiona Druckenmiller serve as executive producers. The Exchange’s sales line-up includes documentary Gleason, A Street » - jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay) 21 October 2016 7:30 AM, PDT | Indiewire | See recent Indiewire news » There was one thing Naomie Harris never wanted to do. Although the classically trained British actress’ resume is enviably varied, complete with a two-film turn as James Bond’s ever-reliable right-hand gal Moneypenny, a recurring role in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and a lauded performance as Winnie Mandela in the 2013 biopic “ Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ,” Harris had long made it plain that there were roles she just wouldn’t take. “I set out my career thinking that there were enough stereotypes about black women, so I wanted to make a difference in this arena,” Harris recently told IndieWire.

“The only area where I have power is in the roles I choose, so I want to portray progressive images of women.” Read More: ‘ Moonlight ’ Review: Barry Jenkins Delivers a Mesmerizing Look at Black Life in America And that stance boiled down to one – very firm – no-go: “I drew the line at crack addiction. » - Kate Erbland 6 July 2016 4:02 AM, PDT | We Got This Covered | See recent We Got This Covered news » You might say that Idris Elba currently has the wind at his back, in terms of career fortunes within the filmmaking industry. But, the truth is, he is an exceptional talent, who works very hard to improve and excel. Anyone that has been watching his onscreen output over the years – from his early guest spots in UK drama The Bill, to his performance as Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom – has seen a young actor gradually honing his skills and achieving his potential. This development now continues, with confirmation that Elba will be making his directorial debut with the drama, Yardie. The project was recently mentioned by the UK CEO of Studiocanal , Danny Perkins , in conversation with Screen Daily.

It is a film adaptation of the 1992 debut novel of author Victor Headley, which weaves a tale of organized crime and drug trafficking in 1980s London. “D, a courier » 20 June 2016 8:05 PM, PDT | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news » South African super-producer Anant Singh has unveiled plans for a sprawling studio complex in the heart of Durban that will transform the film industry in this sunny seaside city. At a cost of roughly $500 million, eThekwini Film City – which takes its name from the Zulu name for Durban – will combine world-class studio facilities with a tourist resort and residential properties, sitting on 50 acres of prime beachfront property. As planning with local government enters its final stages, Singh says he hopes to begin moving on site by early 2017.

For Singh, whose Videovision is responsible for such iconic South African films as “Cry, the Beloved Country,” “Sarafina!,” “ Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ,” and Oscar nominee “ Yesterday ,” it’s the culmination of a dream more than a decade in the making. “It gives Durban a home for the film industry,” he says. Mock-ups for the proposed site are divided into sections that reflect the underlying mantra to “live, » - Christopher Vourlias British filmmaker Justin Chadwick (" Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ," " Tulip Fever ") is in negotiations to helm an untitled biopic about lawyer Johnnie Cochran that stars Anthony Mackie (" Captain America: Civil War ") in the role. David McMillan penned the script which deals with the 1981 wrongful death case of college football star Ron Settles who hung himself in a city jail cell in despair over his arrest for speeding. Cochran suspected foul play and persuaded the Settles family to request that the body be exhumed for an autopsy, which showed Settles had been choked to death and his family was subsequently awarded $1 million in a civil suit.

Cochran remains best known for his defense of O.J. Simpson in the 1995 murder case and was memorably played by Courtney B. Vance in FX's recent " American Crime Story " series. Source: Variety » 14 June 2016 7:26 PM, PDT | MovieWeb | See recent MovieWeb news » After starring as The Falcon for the third time in Marvel's Captain America: Civil War , Anthony Mackie is lining up a much different project. The actor has come aboard to star as legendary defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran in an untitled project centering on his landmark Signal Hill police brutality case in 1981. Justin Chadwick ( Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ) has come aboard to direct the Johnnie Cochran Signal Hill Project, which is being set up by The Firm. Deadline has the news on this project, which will center on the case that put Johnnie Cochran on the map. While the lawyer is most well known for his work in the O.J. Simpson trial, he first made a name for himself with a 1981 police brutality case in the Los Angeles County neighborhood of Signal Hill .

The lawyer represented Cal State Long Beach football star Ron Settles, who had been arrested for speeding in Signal Hill . Shortly after his arrest, he was found hung in his cell, which the police called a suicide. After persuading the family to exhume Ron Settles' body, an autopsy showed that he had in fact been choked to death. The family was awarded a $765,000 civil settlement and the town's police chief resigned although no one was charged in Ron Settles' death. The Signal Hill case is one of many throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s that lead to reform in how police departments handle prisoners. Justin Chadwick is directing from a script by David McMillan , with Anthony Mackie producing alongside Jason Spire and Robbie Brenner , whose company The Firm is financing and producing. Kevin McKeon and Jeff Kwatinetz will also produce, with David McMillan set to executive produce. Justin Chadwick most recently directed Tulip Fever and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom . Anthony Mackie most recently starred in Captain America: Civil War and the HBO movie All the Way, where he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr.

alongside Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson . The actor is believed to be returning as The Falcon for the Avengers: Infinity War movies, which start production in November. It isn't known when filming will begin on this untitled Johnnie Cochran / Signal Hill movie, but we'll be sure to keep you posted as soon as more details come in. » - MovieWeb Chadwick directed 2013’s “ Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ,” “ The Other Boleyn Girl ” and the upcoming “ Tulip Fever .” David McMillan penned the script for the Cochran project. The film will be centered on the 1981 wrongful death case of college football star Ron Settles. Signal Hill police ruled that Settles had hung himself in a city jail cell in despair over his arrest for speeding, but Cochran suspected foul play and persuaded the Settles family to request that the body be exhumed for an autopsy, which showed Settles had been choked to death. The Settles family was subsequently awarded $1 million in a civil suit against the Southern California city. Cochran is best known for his defense of O.J.

Simpson in the 1995 murder case in which Simpson was acquitted. Robbie Brenner , The Firm’s president of film, will produce along with Mackie and Jason Spire . Jeff Kwatinetz will be exec producer, along with McMillan. Mackie was most recently seen in “ Captain America: Civil War .” Chadwick is represented by UTA. Mackie is repped by UTA and Inspire. » 1 May 2016 3:00 AM, PDT | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news » The modern Eve Moneypenny and star of forthcoming Le Carré adaptation Our Kind of Traitor on female directors, posh actors and why theatre’s not for her “Oh gosh, someone’s had an accident there,” says actor Naomie Harris , sounding concerned. She’s in a car en route to the Dior show at Paris fashion week; such invitations have tumbled in since she played Winnie Mandela in 2013’s Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and updated Eve Moneypenny in the Bond films Skyfall and Spectre .

Harris, 39, began acting professionally aged nine, and after university (Cambridge) and drama school (Bristol Old Vic) she was cast by Danny Boyle in the dystopian 28 Days Later. Her new movie is Our Kind of Traitor , an adaptation of the John le Carré novel, in which she and Ewan McGregor are an ordinary couple caught up with the Russian mafia while on holiday in Marrakech. Is going » 1 May 2016 3:00 AM, PDT | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news » The modern Eve Moneypenny and star of forthcoming Le Carré adaptation Our Kind of Traitor on female directors, posh actors and why theatre’s not for her “Oh gosh, someone’s had an accident there,” says actor Naomie Harris , sounding concerned. She’s in a car en route to the Dior show at Paris fashion week; such invitations have tumbled in since she played Winnie Mandela in 2013’s Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and updated Eve Moneypenny in the Bond films Skyfall and Spectre .

Harris, 39, began acting professionally aged nine, and after university (Cambridge) and drama school (Bristol Old Vic) she was cast by Danny Boyle in the dystopian 28 Days Later. Her new movie is Our Kind of Traitor , an adaptation of the John le Carré novel, in which she and Ewan McGregor are an ordinary couple caught up with the Russian mafia while on holiday in Marrakech. Is going » 29 April 2016 1:13 AM, PDT | The Hollywood News | See recent The Hollywood News news » The first trailer for the upcoming drama Tulip Fever has just been released by The Weinstein Company. The period drama, which stars Alicia Vikander , Dane DeHaan , Christoph Waltz , Holliday Grainger , Jack O’Connell, Zach Galifianakis , Dame Judi Dench , Matthew Morrison , Tom Hollander , Cara Delevingne , Cressida Bonas , and David Harewood , will be delivered to cinemas later this year, and already we’re hearing awards buzz. Justin Chadwick ( Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom ) directs the film, which is set in 17th century Amsterdam.

The film follows a married woman ( Alicia Vikander ) who begins a passionate affair with an artist ( Dane DeHaan ) hired to paint her portrait. The lovers gamble on the booming market for tulip bulbs as a way to raise money to run away together. Tulip Fever has a release date set for July 15th, 2016 in the U.S. It is still awaiting a U. K. date . Watch the first trailer, » - Paul Heath 28 April 2016 11:53 AM, PDT | We Got This Covered | See recent We Got This Covered news » Completing the one-two punch following yesterday’s release date announcement, The Weinstein Company have premiered the first trailer for Tulip Fever , the long-in-development period drama that chronicles a forbidden romance that brews between Dane DeHaan and the seemingly omnipresent Alicia Vikander . It’s the latter who finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage at the beginning of Justin Chadwick ’s ( Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ) feature film. Housed up with Christoph Waltz ’s powerful dutchman, Vikander indulges in a love affair with Dane DeHaan ’s aspiring artist.

Commissioned by her husband to paint a portrait of their frigid romance, the young pair then seize control of their own futures by plotting an escape during a time when the country was revelling in an economic boom. Much of that can be traced back to the Tulip mania that gripped the Netherlands during the midst of the 17th century, and it’s » - Michael Briers 28 April 2016 7:49 AM, PDT | ScreenDaily | See recent ScreenDaily news » Exclusive: All-female production stars Canadian actress Natalie Krill and Swedish model Erika Linder . Elle Driver has acquired world sales to all-female production Below Her Mouth , about a passionate, unexpected fling between two women that changes their lives forever. It is the latest production from Toronto-based Serendipity Point Films, which previously produced Atom Egoyan ’s Remember , Oscar-nominated Barney’s Version and Being Julia , and is made in association with South African outfit Distant Horizon. The film, which was shot with an all-female crew, stars Canadian actress Natalie Krill and Swedish model Erika Linder in her first acting role. Serendipity’s Melissa Coghlan is lead producer.

Actress and director April Mullen directs from a screenplay by Stephanie Fabrizi . Described by its producers as a “bold, uninhibited drama”, the feature kicks off with a steamy, weekend affair between two women: Dallas, a roofer, and Jasmine, a fashion editor. But the powerful connection they ignite derails their lives. Linder is known » 28 April 2016 7:39 AM, PDT | The Film Stage | See recent The Film Stage news » Before The Light Between Oceans and Jason Bourne, Alicia Vikander will take the lead in another feature this year. While Tulip Fever is technically the actress’ first film after winning an Oscar for The Danish Girl , the drama shot two summers ago, but will finally see a release this year. Coming from The Weinstein Company, the first trailer has arrived today. Also starring Christoph Waltz , Dane DeHaan , Cara Delevingne , Jack O’Connell, Judi Dench , Zach Galifianakis , and Tom Hollander , the film is based on Deborah Moggach ‘s novel of romance, paintings, and 17th-century Netherlands.

Directed by Justin Chadwick ( Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ), it follows a love affair between a man and a woman at a time when Dutch painters were creating paintings that would go on to become dubbed masterpieces. Check out the trailer below. Set in 17th century Amsterdam, Tulip Fever follows a married woman ( Alicia Vikander ) who » - Jordan Raup The actors who have played Nelson Mandela on film | New York Post The actors who have played Nelson Mandela on film Idris Elba (center) stars as the latest incarnation of Nelson Mandela in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." Keith Bernstein/AP More On: Fake Mandela signer cashes in on infamy Britain’s Idris Elba , best known for “The Wire” and “Thor,” takes on the role of Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela in this month’s “Long Walk to Freedom.” He joins a long line of distinguished actors who jumped at the chance to play one of the 20th century’s truly iconic figures. Among the others: Terrence Howard in “Winnie Mandela” (2013) Nelson is a secondary character in this dramatization of the story of his radical wife, played by Jennifer Hudson.

Morgan Freeman in “Invictus” (2009) Freeman scored an Oscar nomination for playing Mandela after his 1990 release from prison, when he struggled to keep the peace as the country’s first black president. Dennis Haysbert in “Color of Freedom,” also known as “Goodbye Bafana” (2007) A drama about the relationship between Mandela and the racist white prison guard (Joseph Fiennes) whose association with the inmate changed his views for the better. Sidney Poitier in “Mandela and de Klerk” (1997) Fellow Oscar winner Michael Caine costars as South Africa’s last white president, F.W. de Klerk, in a drama about the negotiations to end apartheid rule. Share this: Mandela movie 'Long Walk To Freedom' gets South Africa premiere - CNN.com Mandela movie 'Long Walk To Freedom' gets South Africa premiere From Arwa Damon and Teo Kermeliotis, CNN updated 5:54 AM EST, Tue November 5, 2013 British actor Idris Elba plays Nelson Mandela in the long-awaited movie adaptation of the anti-apartheid icon's autobiography.

Called "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom," the biopic had its South African premiere in Johannesburg on November 3. The film follows the life of the freedom fighter from his early years in a rural village to his election as South Africa's president in 1994. Mandela became an international figure while enduring 27 years in prison. British actress Naomie Harris stars in the movie as Mandela's second wife, Winnie. Harris, who recently starred in "Skyfall," also attended the Johannesburg premiere Sunday. Elba with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (center) and her daughter Zindzi at the movie's premiere.

HIDE CAPTION 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' << "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" has premiered in South Africa The film is based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography It stars Idris Elba as Mandela, while Naomie Harries plays his second wife, Winnie Johannesburg, South Africa (CNN) -- It was decades in the making but the long-awaited film based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography is finally here. Starring British actor Idris Elba as the beloved South African icon, "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" had its South African premiere Sunday in a buzzing Johannesburg cinema. "During the preparation for 'Mandela,' I was very nervous about my abilities, my capabilities as an actor," Elba told CNN.

"But then it came to me as I was playing a 70-year-old man (that) if you put your mind on something you can actually do it," added Elba, famous for his role as a drug kingpin in U.S. TV series "The Wire." Read this: How Mandela became a brand Mandela, 95, did not attend the premiere as he remains in critical but stable condition in his Johannesburg home, where he is being looked after by a team of military doctors. Yet relatives, friends and former freedom fighters all joined the movie's cast and crew in what was an exciting and emotional gathering. Rugby great: I would've hugged Mandela Nelson Mandela released from hospital "It's going to evoke a lot of sad memories for me," Ndileka Mandela, the former President's granddaughter, said at the red carpet before the film's screening.

"His incarceration was not a good time for me as his grandchild and for the family as a whole." Read this: Mandela posters mark 95th birthday Based on Mandela's autobiography, also called "Long Walk to Freedom," the biopic follows Mandela's life journey from his childhood growing up in a rural village, through the anti-apartheid struggle and prison years, to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. The film's producer, South African Anant Singh, says he first started corresponding with Mandela about the movie's rights when the iconic leader was still behind bars. "It began almost 25 years ago to try and get this story and to bring it to the big screen," Singh told CNN earlier this year. "I have letters in his handwriting modestly saying, 'will people actually want to see a film about my life?'" It's going to evoke a lot of sad memories for me. Ndileka Mandela Watch this: Turning Mandela's life into a blockbuster Singh announced Tuesday that the film will be screened at the White House on November 7. "It is an exceptional honor to have the film screening hosted by President Obama at the White House as it is the first for a South African film," said the movie producer.

"It is also of special significance as it connects Madiba and President Obama as statesmen who were responsible for major paradigm shifts in their respective countries and who have special places in the hearts of their people." The movie is directed by Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl," "The First Grader") and also features fellow Briton Naomie Harris ("Skyfall") as Mandela's second wife, Winnie. "This is the biggest film ever to be made in South Africa," added Singh. "We have two foreign actors and the (other) 143 are all South African. What we've tried to do is make a South African film and make in a way that it can engage audiences everywhere." "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" will be released in South Africa on November 28 and one day later it will premiere in in New York and Los Angeles. Part of complete coverage on Nelson Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom trailer - Idris Elba and Naomie Harris play Nelson and Winnie | Daily Mail Online comments In his most high-profile role to date, Idris Elba brings to the screen the story of Nelson Mandela's struggle to end Apartheid in South Africa.

In the first full-length trailer from the movie biopic - called Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom - the 40-year old actor is stripped of his British accent and trademark goatee, to command the film which chronicles the activist-turned-politician's journey from his rural childhood through to his historic presidential inauguration. SCROLL DOWN FOR TRAILER Liberator: Idris Elba plays Nelson Mandela in the movie biopic of the South African politician It also retraces the love affair and marriage of Mandela with his second wife Winnie, played by Naomie Harris. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share The trailer opens with scenes of conflict; guns being loaded, explosions and white soldiers rushing into combat, with the statements, 'public enemy #1', 'hunted by the police' and 'feared by the government' flashing in between. Then the 'revolutionary, outlaw, rebel, radical, liberator' Nelson comes on to the screen, standing on a podium in front of a crowd of protestors at a race rally.

Rebel: In the opening scenes of the trailer, Nelson addresses a crowd of protestors The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen: Naomie Harris plays Mandela's second wife Winnie Unrecognisable: Without his goatee, Idris barely looks like his normal self It then introduces Naomie, 36, as Winnie and their love story from when she first captured Nelson's eye through her social activism by being the first black social worker in South Africa. He describes her as 'the most beautfiul girl I've ever seen', but their love story is not the main narrative arc of the movie, for Nelson's 67 year role as a leader for black rights is the primary focus of the man who says in the trailer 'Freedom, it is an ideal of which I am prepared to die.' The film is directed by British filmmaker Justin Chadwick - of The Other Boleyn Girl and BBC's Bleak House fame - while the script was penned by William Nicholson who was nominated for an Academy award for Gladiator, and wrote the screenplay for last year's critical and box-office success Les Miserablé.

Equal partners: Both Nelson and Winnie shared a mutual fight for social and political justice in South Africa High-profile: For Elba, this could be considered his most important role to date The trailer was officially released on Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday, which is a national holiday in the country that made him president. As a tribute, the Weinstein Company screened scenes from the movie for the United Nations General Assembly. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton; Rev. Jesse Jackson singer and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte U.N. General Assembly president John William Ashe and secretary-general of the U.N. Ban ki-moon, attended the screening event on Nelson Mandela International Day. White oppression: The black community of South Africa protest the undemocratic government Freedom: As Nelson, Idris says he wants his children to walk free across their land Solace: In prison, letters from his wife and supported keep up his strength Sadly the subject of the biopic could not attend, as Mandela continues to remain in Mediclinic heart hospital following serious health issues. But according to his family, the former president is improving.

Nelson's daughter Zindzi said on Wednesday that her father has made "dramatic progress" and may be going home 'anytime soon.' Freedom fighter: Nelson was famously sent to jail by the government for leading a protest movement against them

Question: Who played Nelson Mandela in the 2013 film A Long Walk to Freedom?
Answer: Idris Elba